A dozen goats will scarf up vegetation along Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve trail

A dozen goats, herded by a donkey named Diamond, will scarf up vegetation along a trail at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel for the next few weeks.

The temporary visitors are tasked with the important job of eating invasive plants near an ADA-compliant trail at the campus along Dorseyville Road. They are expected to be on-site through the end of August.

“They have plenty of room to roam around and have been doing a fantastic job of clearing the area,” Rachel Handel, communications director, said.

The goats, provided by Allegheny Goatscape, are being paid for by The Pittsburgh Foundation.

The goats’ work at the 134-acre sanctuary is to help expand meadow habitat and weed out invasive plants. The animals allow Audubon Society to help control invasive species in a natural way, Handel said.

“Our goal is to help people to better understand the problems that invasive plants and invasive species present to our local ecosystem,” said Jim Bonner, executive director of Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.

Invasive plants often grow quickly and many times outcompete the plants that are more beneficial to the area. Native plants, on the other hand, support wildlife, including butterflies and bees.

“So the goats are helping Audubon in its goal to enhance the meadow habitat and make it a thriving community for native plants and wildlife,” Handel said.

The goats are part of Team Diamond.

“Diamond is the donkey who watches over the goats, helping to ensure their safety,” Handel said.

At night, a tent is available in case of inclement weather. Otherwise, Handel said the animals are used to being outdoors. An electric fence will keep the goats in a contained area.

This is the first time Beechwood Farms has used goats to remove invasive plants.

Signs placed around the facility will educate guests on how they can help to reduce the number of invasives at home, Bonner said.

Audubon Society staff encourages native plants in backyards to attract birds, butterflies and beneficial insects that help support local native wildlife, Bonner said.

Free native plant seeds are available at Beechwood Farms.